Hoarder clean up services and helping a person in a hoarding situation reclaim their living space is just the beginning of the recovery process. Hoarding is a complex issue rooted in deep emotional and psychological conditions. Therefore, it is essential to approach post-cleanup strategies with sensitivity, understanding and a focus on long-term change.
After using professional hoarding cleanup services, the real work begins - preventing a future relapse. Let’s explore various ways to sustain the cleanliness of the home, support mental health and promote ongoing recovery to prevent a return to hoarding behavior.
Hoarding is not simply a case of disorganization or laziness. It's a recognized mental health condition often linked to anxiety disorders, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Hoarding may start small and gradually progress, or it can escalate quickly following a traumatic event.
Addressing the physical manifestation of the disorder, which is the clutter, is critical. But without treating the underlying psychological issues, the risk of relapse is high.
Professional hoarder cleaning services play an invaluable role in managing hoarding situations. Trained experts handle the cleanup process with sensitivity and respect. They understand the emotional distress associated with discarding possessions, even those of little to no value.
At Bio-One of Rowan County, we can provide you with comprehensive and compassionate hoarding cleaning services. Hoarding cleanup situations should never be handled by family members, friends, a landlord or even a general maid service.
Not only is this task too stressful for loved ones and landlords to handle, but we also typically encounter many dangerous and toxic items during the cleanup process. A professional biohazard remediation team is the best option to consider because we are detached emotionally from the person that hoards and we have the proper protective gear and equipment and cleaning supplies to fully remove all toxic materials.
We often encounter toxic materials such as dead animals, rodent droppings, human waste, rotten food and mold during the cleaning process. Toxins, such as rodent droppings and mold, require specialized cleaning techniques and cleaning products to ensure that they are handled and removed properly.
While we don’t have the same level of emotional involvement with the hoarder that friends and family do, we still strive to provide the most compassionate services possible. We understand how upsetting these sensitive situations can be and will do our best to handle items with care and salvage whatever is possible either to keep, donate or sell.
Once the cleaning process is complete, the home transforms from a hazardous, cluttered space to a safe and comfortable living environment. But the journey doesn't end there. Preventing future relapses involves ongoing work.
To sustain the progress made through hoarding cleanup services, consider the following steps:
Therapy or counseling services are crucial in helping individuals manage their hoarding behavior. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is particularly effective, as it helps individuals understand their thought processes and learn healthier coping mechanisms.
Scheduling regular follow-ups with the individual can provide the encouragement they need to maintain a clutter-free home. These visits can be performed by a trusted friend, family member or a professional organizer.
Encourage participation in hoarding support groups. Sharing experiences with others who face similar challenges can provide reassurance and practical tips for maintaining an organized home. There are also organizations to help support children of hoarders and it can be beneficial for those affected by hoarding to seek support and help, as well.
Help the individual establish simple organization systems. Having a place for everything makes it easier to avoid clutter accumulation. A professional organizer can be hired to help the hoarder and provide some helpful tips to make staying organized as simple as possible.
Define what is acceptable to acquire and keep. Setting limits can help manage the number of items that enter the home. You can even set a goal to donate an item if a similar item is acquired.
Loneliness and social isolation can exacerbate hoarding behavior. Regular social interaction can help provide the emotional support needed for long-term recovery. Make a plan for a weekly dinner or perhaps a weekly excursion or take time each day to call or text. This can help a person feel more connected to others.
It’s also good to encourage a hoarder to engage in some outside activities, such as going to church or joining a club or even taking part in charitable activities. Getting out of the house and interacting with others can improve every aspect of a person’s life.
Reading self-help books or watching relevant documentaries can provide insights into hoarding behavior and how to combat it.
Preventing relapses in hoarding situations is a long-term commitment. It requires ongoing mental health support and practical strategies to maintain a clean and safe living environment. Through these measures, we can help individuals in hoarding situations achieve a sustained recovery, improving both their physical surroundings and overall quality of life.
Remember, professional hoarding cleaning services can provide an essential first step in this journey. But the real work lies in the ongoing support, understanding, and patience that will help prevent future relapses. If you do need hoarder clean up services, contact the team at Bio-One at any time. We are available 24/7, 365 days a year. In addition to hoarding cleanup, we can provide you with crime scene cleanup, death cleanup, mold cleaning services and all other types of biohazard cleanup. We serve all of Rowan County as well as the entire Charlotte metro area.
As professional biohazard cleanup experts, hoarding cleaning services are one of our areas of specialization. We’ve seen firsthand the detrimental effects of hoarding, and we also know that there can be many legal issues associated with both hoarding and hoarding cleanup. Let’s take a quick look at hoarding disorders and what laws might apply to these types of situations.
Facts About Hoarding Disorder
If a loved one or tenant suffers from hoarding disorder, this is extremely upsetting for them as well as their family, friends and, of course, a landlord. Hoarding is recognized by the American Psychiatric Association and typically it is recognized as being on the obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) spectrum.
It’s wrong to assume that people with OCD are obsessed with organization and cleanliness because often an obsession or compulsive behavior has nothing to do with cleanliness or tidiness. With hoarding, a person compulsively and/or obsessively acquires possessions and has great difficulty parting with these items.
Often the items are acquired with little rhyme or reason, and this is generally one facet that separates hoarding from collecting. Collectors usually have specific reasons for acquiring each new item for their collection, while a hoarder simply continues buying or acquiring items and feels a compelling need to save these items even if they seem to have little to no value. Eventually, these possessions pile up throughout the home and make it impossible to maintain a healthy level of cleanliness and safety.
Keep in mind, that while hoarding can be hugely frustrating and upsetting for landlords as well as family members, the person with the hoarding disorder also is suffering greatly and usually feels immense shame about the condition of their home.
We’ve found that a caring, compassionate approach to hoarding cleanup, combined with treatment from a mental health professional is the best way to handle these situations. It can be tough, but we’ve seen many positive outcomes despite what might look like a hopeless situation.
What Does The Law Say?
Because hoarding is considered a disability by the United States government and is classified as such in the Americans With Disabilities (ADA) Act. Individuals with hoarding disorders are protected by the ADA as well as the Fair Housing Act, and this means that landlords cannot evict homeowners because they are hoarding.
However, hoarding often violates certain health codes and other local or state laws, and this is the point where a landlord or family member or local safety officials can take action and require that a property be restored to a clean, safe state.
For instance, hoarding can constitute a public health issue. Unfortunately, hoarding can encourage pests, such as rodents, to accumulate on a property and this can spread pests beyond the property line to other dwellings. This can pose a community health risk, but if children are living at the hoarder’s home, this may violate laws regarding the children’s safety, and local officials may be forced to act on behalf of these minors.
This also can be true if an adult person in the home is either elderly or disabled (or both). If it is determined that the conditions in the home are causing harm to an elderly person or a disabled person, Adult Protective Services may intervene in the situation and require that the home be restored to a safe condition.
We’ve found that, in many cases, there also may be animal hoarding happening on the property or perhaps animal neglect. This is a common issue, and if animals are being abused, the local animal control officers also might need to become involved.
Additionally, local housing and building codes also might come into play with a hoarding situation. Fire safety, for instance, often is affected when a hoarding situation is out of control. In this case, there may be a legal obligation to clean up the property. Hoarding also can cause general damage to the structure of the property, which can pose a danger to the inhabitants.
So, while a landlord and family members may have their hands tied to some extent, there may be legalities at play that can, at least, force the situation to be remediated. This actually can be an excellent opportunity to encourage a hoarder to seek treatment for their hoarding disorder, which is the best possible outcome, and it can prevent future recurrences of hoarding.
Bio-One Can Help!
The team at Bio-One of Rowan County is available 24/7 to help with hoarding cleanup or any type of biohazard cleaning. When it comes to hoarding situations, landlords, family members and general cleaning services should not be used to remediate the situation as there are simply too many health risks, not to mention the emotional toll of this daunting task.
During a hoarding cleanup, we encounter a wide range of toxic and dangerous items. This ranges from rodent droppings and dead animals to mold and other toxins. Rotting food and human waste also often needs to be removed, and this type of cleanup is dangerous unless it is handled by professionals using proper protective gear and cleaning techniques.
Our team has many years of experience handling hoarding cleaning as well as death cleanup, suicide cleanup, crime scene cleanup, mold cleaning services, homeless encampment cleanup and much more. We are a local company, and we serve all of Rowan County as well as Buncombe County, Cabarrus County, Gaston County and Mecklenburg County. If you need hoarding cleaning services or any other type of biohazard remediation services, don’t hesitate to call us at any time. We are available 24/7 and 365 days a year to provide comprehensive and compassionate cleanup services.
At Bio-One of Rowan County, we often are called in to provide hoarding cleanup services. While cleaning up a hoarding situation is a crucial task, convincing your loved one to take this step can be difficult. Here are a few facts about hoarding disorder and some tips to help you lead someone out of this terrible and unhealthy situation.
Hoarding Vs. Clutter
Many of us have homes filled with clutter, but that doesn’t mean we have a hoarding disorder. We lead busy lives, and it can be tough to find time to weed out old clothes, books and belongings that we don’t need. Sometimes, we also have emotional attachments to items in our home and it’s tough to part with these objects, but most of us get around to donating or tossing old items eventually.
In some cases, a person who enjoys collecting might have what appears to be a cluttered home. Generally, however, collectors tend to display items and have them organized and take a good deal of thought when purchasing or acquiring objects for their collections. This also wouldn’t usually be considered a hoarding disorder.
With hoarding, objects are acquired with little thought and there is often no rhyme or reason as to why these items are purchased. The clutter is highly disorganized and begins to take over every room in the home, blocking hallways and doorways. Often, the home is barely inhabitable and can be dangerous for the residents.
Understanding Hoarding Disorder
While hoarding has been a common mental health issue for years, Hoarding Disorder was a recent addition to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). This manual, created by the American Psychiatric Association, classifies a wide range of mental health and neurological disorders.
According to the DSM-5, for a person to be diagnosed with a hoarding disorder, several qualifications need to be met, including:
It's important to note that hoarding disorder can range in severity from mild to severe, and not all individuals who hoard meet the full criteria for a diagnosis.
How To Help Your Loved One
Helping a loved one who hoards to seek treatment and have their home cleaned can be a delicate situation. Here are some tips to help you convince a loved one to seek treatment for a hoarding disorder and to have their home cleaned:
Start the conversation gently: It's important to approach the topic with empathy and understanding. Let your loved one know that you care about them and want to help.
Express concern for their health and safety: Hoarding can be dangerous, and it's important to express your concern for your loved one's health and safety.
Offer support and encouragement: Let your loved one know that you're there to support them and that you believe in their ability to make positive changes.
Educate yourself: Educate yourself on the nature of hoarding disorder, so you can better understand what your loved one is going through and how to help them.
Seek professional help: Encourage your loved one to seek professional help from a therapist who specializes in hoarding disorder.
Emphasize the benefits of treatment: Let your loved one know that seeking treatment can improve their quality of life and help them live in a safer and healthier environment.
Respect their autonomy: It's important to respect your loved one's autonomy and allow them to make their own decisions about seeking treatment.
Offer practical help: Offer to help your loved one with the practical aspects of cleaning their home, such as sorting through items and organizing their space.
Be patient: Recovery from hoarding disorder takes time, and it's important to be patient and supportive throughout the process.
Celebrate small victories: Celebrate your loved one's progress, no matter how small, to encourage and motivate them to continue making positive changes.
Why Use Professional Hoarding Cleaning Services?
There are two reasons why you should always seek the services of a professional biohazard cleanup company for hoarding cleanup. First, this type of cleanup can be dangerous and second, this is a highly emotional and difficult experience for you and your loved one with a hoarding disorder.
During a hoarding cleanup job, we encounter a wide range of toxic or unpleasant materials. This often includes dead animals and animal waste, as rodents and sometimes other animals will become trapped and die in the home. We often encounter mold and mildew and rotting food, as well as sharp objects.
Our biohazard remediation teams wear personal protective gear and use special equipment to remove toxic or dangerous items carefully. This is not something you should try to handle on your own.
People with hoarding disorder often become highly agitated during this process, and it can be a difficult and traumatic experience for family members and friends, as well. It’s better to have detached professionals provide this service. While we are compassionate and caring, we aren’t personally involved with the situation, which can make it easier for everyone.
Keep in mind that we will always do our best to salvage valuable items or items of sentimental value as well as furnishings and other important belongings. Our goal is to remove anything dangerous from the hoarder’s home and restore the home to a safe state. Hoarding cleanup can ensure that all biohazardous materials are removed, that access routes are safe and clear and that the fire danger has been reduced.
Call Bio-One Any Time!
If you need a professional hoarding cleanup company, the team at Bio-One is always here to help. We serve all of Rowan County as well as the entire Charlotte metro area. We can provide 24/7 hoarding cleanup as well as any type of biohazard cleaning and trauma cleanup, including crime scene cleanup, death cleanup, mold cleaning services and more.
Have you ever seen hoarding shows on TV? Our team has first-hand experience remediating these situations with care and compassion. From clutter, trash, to animal hoarding, we understand that the removal of items can be stressful and sometimes overwhelming for families involved. Bio-One will make it a priority to establish trust to ensure everyone is comfortable and ready for each day to begin.
It's as simple as 1, 2, 3.
First, we always offer estimates at no cost to you. An experienced crew leader will tour the home and propose a plan based on your needs, expectations, and goals.
Second, our certified technicians are trained to be mindful of all possessions. We make it a priority to find and save items of value whether that's a wallet, coin collections, legal documents, photo albums, or baseball cards.
Third, we want to make sure you are 100% satisfied and happy with our work. If for some reason something else needs to be done, we are here for you.
Call Bio-One today to learn how we can help.
Rebecca Wallace, Bio-One owner, recently visited with Arizona Midday to share how the Bio-One team makes a difference on and off the job in Arizona and throughout the United States.
Arizona Midday - "Well we've got some help for your home right now. If you're feeling overwhelmed by a clean-up project, we've got help for you today. Rebecca Wallace is with Bio-One. Hi Rebecca. What is Bio-One?"
Rebecca - "So Bio-One is known for crime and trauma scene clean-up. However, we do a lot more than just that. We help people when there is a hoarding situation, so that they can regain their home and their lives again. We help with infectious disease decontamination, rodent droppings, odor abatement, basically if you think you might need a respirator to do the job we're the people you want to call."
Arizona Midday - "Wow, that's incredible. It's stuff we don't want to do. What made you decide to get into this line of work?"
Rebecca - "So, me and my husband live in Flagstaff most of the time and we were talking with some first responders and heard how when people pass away or they're hoarders there is no one that can help them. There's just no one who does this kind of work. So we decided we want to be able to help our community, help those around us during a time of need so they can actually move forward in their lives and not have to deal with the mess of maybe things that have happened that they don't want to have to think about."
Arizona Midday - "I love that idea. So in order to help your clients as much as possible, do you work with other companies? Tell me about that if you do."
Rebecca - "Yes, we do. We work with quite a few other companies, because what we do is just a piece of a whole puzzle. So we work with a lot of restoration companies, Best Option Restoration, they are state-wide like us so they can help us anywhere as well. We work with animal rescues, so if there is a hoarding situation that animals are involved in we can get the animals out safely and get them rehabilitated. We work with quite a few non-profits that help first responders if they're in a time of need or crisis. It's across the board. We work with all kinds of different people. Contractors. Mental health professionals. Anyone that can be a piece of that puzzle with us, we want to work with them.
Arizona Midday - "Oh, I love that. So what areas of Arizona does Bio-One cover?"
Rebecca - "We have offices all the way down from Tucson up to Flagstaff, and everything in-between. Our goal is to be able to help our clients within 90 minutes or less if there is an emergency. So we have offices everywhere. Any we're national. We have 120 offices throughout the US as well.
Arizona Midday - "Wow. That's incredible. So you work with businesses. You work with non-profits, but you're also really involved in the community too, right? Tell me about that."
Rebecca - "Yeah we are. It's important for us to give back. Our community is important. We live here. We're part of it. So in 2020 alone, we gave out over 25,000 bottles of chemicals that are approved by the EPA for COVID-19 decontamination. We have blood drives all throughout Arizona to help with the blood shortage. We donate PPE to first responders and victim advocates. And we have BBQ's throughout the state as well for all of our first responders just to tell them thank you for what they've been doing. They work hard and we want to make sure that they know we care.
Arizona Midday - "Rebecca Wallace, incredible work that you're doing with Bio-One. And thank you so much for spending time with us today.
Rebecca - "Thank you for having me."
